Adjustable stylus pen

ABSTRACT

An example stylus pen including a body includes a central axis, a first end, and a second end. In addition, the stylus pen includes an engagement tip disposed at the first end and including resilient cover. Further, the stylus pen includes an adjustment mechanism at least partially disposed within the body and arranged such that manipulation of the adjustment mechanism by a user causes the cover of the engagement tip to actuate between a first shape and a second shape. The cover of the engagement tip is arranged to engage with a touch sensitive surface to cause a change in a computing device when in either one of the first shape and the second shape.

BACKGROUND

Touch sensitive technology is extremely prevalent in modern computingdevices (e.g., personal computers, smartphones, tablets, all-in-onecomputers, etc.). As a result, a user typically interacts with such adevice by physically touching or engaging with a touch sensitive surface(e.g., a touch sensitive display or touch pad). In some instances, auser will engage the touch sensitive surface with a stylus pen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of various examples, reference will now bemade to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a computing system including anadjustable stylus pen in accordance with the principles disclosedherein;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side partial cross-sectional view of a styluspen with an adjustable tip in accordance with the principles disclosedherein;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the extension member of the stylus pen ofFIG. 1 in accordance with the principles disclosed herein;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the stylus pen alongsection IV-IV in FIG. 2 in accordance with the principles disclosedherein;

FIGS. 5-7 show sequential schematic side partial cross-sectional viewsof the stylus pen of FIG. 1 with the tip being adjusted from arelatively dull shape to a sharper shape in accordance with theprinciples disclosed herein; and

FIGS. 8-10 show enlarged sequential schematic side views of theengagement tip of the stylus pen of FIG. 1 being adjusted from arelatively dull shape to progressively sharper shapes in accordance withthe principles disclosed herein.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art willappreciate, a single component may be referred to by different names.This document does not intend to distinguish between components thatdiffer in name but not in function. In the following discussion and inthe claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in anopen-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including,but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” isintended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if afirst device couples to a second device, that connection may be througha direct connection, or through an indirect connection via otherdevices, components, and connections. In addition, as used herein, theterms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or parallel to acentral axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms“radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to the centralaxis. For instance, an axial distance refers to a distance measuredalong or parallel to the central axis, and a radial distance means adistance measured perpendicular to the central axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion is directed to various examples. Although oneor more of these examples may be preferred, the examples disclosedshould not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope ofthe disclosure, including the claims. In addition, one skilled in theart will understand that the following description has broadapplication, and the discussion of any example is meant only to beexplanatory of that example, and not intended to intimate that the scopeof the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that example.

Referring now to FIG. 1, wherein an example computing system 10 isshown. In this example, computing system 10 includes a computing device20, a keyboard 30, a touchpad 40, and an adjustable stylus pen 100 inaccordance with the principles disclosed herein.

Computing device 20 may comprise any suitable device or assembly ofdevices that is arranged to execute software, such as, for example, anall-in-one computer, a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. Inthis example, computing device 20 comprises an all-in-one computer thatincludes a display 22 that shows images thereon for viewing by a user(not shown). In this example, display 22 is touch sensitive.

Keyboard 30 is electrically coupled to computing device 20 (e.g.,through a conductor and/or wireless connection) and is arranged suchthat a user may interact with computing device 20 by engaging one ormore keys 32 that are disposed thereon. Touch pad 40 is alsoelectrically coupled to computing device (e.g., through a conductorand/or wireless connection) and includes a touch sensitive surface 42.

During operations, a user (not shown) may interact with computing device20 by engaging touch sensitive surface 42 of touch pad 40 and/or display22 with the stylus pen 100 in order to cause a change within computingdevice 20. Surface 42 and display 22 may each include any suitable touchsensitive technology known in the art while still complying with theprinciples disclosed herein, such as, for example, resistive,capacitive, acoustic wave, infrared (IR), strain gauge, optical,acoustic pulse recognition, or some combination thereof.

When utilizing stylus pen 100 to interact with a touch sensitive surface(e.g., display 22 and/or surface 42), it is often desirable to use awide variety of tip sizes and/or shapes. For example, a user who isrunning a drawing or drafting program on computing device 20 may wish tochange the sharpness of the resulting line(s) and/or point(s) producedand shown on the display 22. In many such drafting or drawing programs,such a change may be made through manipulation of various controlswithin the software itself, a procedure that is often cumbersome anddifficult for some users. Thus, various examples of stylus pen 100having an adjustable tip are disclosed herein. As will be described inmore detail below, through use of stylus pen 100 in accordance with theprinciples disclosed herein, a user may simply manipulate an adjustmentmechanism disposed on the stylus pen itself to effect a change in theengagement tip size and/or shape and thus the sharpness of the resultingline(s) and/or point(s) shown on the display. Thus, through use of astylus pen in accordance with the principles disclosed herein (e.g., pen100), a user's experience is greatly simplified.

Referring now to FIG. 2, wherein stylus pen 100 is shown. Pen 100generally includes a body 102, an engagement tip 150, and an adjustmentmechanism 120 disposed partially within body 102. Body 102 includes anelongate hollow member or tube 104 that further includes a central orlongitudinal axis 105, a first or proximal end 104 a, a second or distalend 104 b opposite the proximal end 104 a, and a central throughbore 106extending axially between the ends 104 a, 104 b. In this example, body102 is generally sized and formed such that a user may comfortably gripbody 102 with their hand in a manner similar to that of a typicalwriting pen or pencil.

Engagement tip 150 is generally disposed at the distal end 104 b of tube104 and includes a funnel 152, a resilient cover 154, an elongateinternal extension member 160, and a plurality of internal guides 157,158, 159. In this example, funnel 152 is generally frustoconical inshape and includes a first or proximal end 152 a and a second or distalend 152 b opposite the proximal end 152 a. In addition, funnel 152 isgenerally hollow such that it is open at each of the ends 152 a, 152 b.Funnel 152 is coupled body 102 such that proximal end 152 a abuts orengages the distal end 104 b of tube 104 and distal end 152 b extendsoutwardly therefrom along axis 105.

Resilient cover 154 is mounted to the distal end 152 b of funnel 152such that cover 154 occludes the opening at the distal end 152 b. Cover154 may comprise any suitable resilient material that may be engagedwith a touch sensitive surface while still complying with the principlesdisclosed herein. In this example, cover 154 comprises a thermoplasticurethane (TPU).

Guides 157, 158, 159 extend within tube 104, funnel 152, and cover 154and each includes an open central passage (not shown). As will bedescribed in more detail below, guides 157, 158, 159 are arranged toguide or direct extension member 160 as it advances axially through body102. Guides 157, 158, 159 may be secured within body 102 through anysuitable method or device while still complying with the principlesdisclosed herein. For instance, in some examples, funnel 152 and guide157 are secured to one another such as, for example, through sonicwelding or heat staking, and guide 157 is threadably engaged with thedistal end 104 b of tube 104. In addition, in these examples, guides158, 159 are each placed within funnel 152 such that each may slide ortranslate axially relative to funnel 152 and guide 157 duringoperations. It should also be appreciated that in some examples, one ormore of the guides 157, 158, 159 are not included with pen 100 whilestill complying with the principles disclosed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 3, extension member 160 generally includes acentral or longitudinal axis 165 that is aligned with the axis 105 ofpen 100 when fully inserted therein, a first or proximal end 160 a, asecond or distal end 160 b opposite the proximal end 160 b, a barrelsection 162 extending axially from the proximal end 160 a, an extensionsection 166 extending axially from the distal end 160 a, and aconnection section 164 extending axially from the barrel section 162 tothe extension section 166.

Barrel section 162 includes a radially outer surface 162 a and a recess168 extending axially from the proximal end 160 a that is substantiallydefined by a radially inner surface 162 b. In this example, surfaces 162a, 162 b are generally cylindrical in shape; however, it should beappreciated that in other examples one or both of the surfaces 162 a,162 b may be formed in one or more other shapes, such as, for example,rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal, or somecombination thereof while still complying with the principles disclosedherein. In addition, barrel section 162 also includes a groove 161 thatextends radially inward from the radially outer surface 162 a and wrapshelically about section 162. Thus, groove 161 may be referred to hereinas “helical groove” 161. Further, in this example, recess 168 includes apair of axially oriented grooves 163 which extend radially outward fromthe surface 162 b.

In this example, connection section 164 is generally cylindrical inshape and extends axially between the barrel section 162 and extensionsection 166. In other examples, connection member 164 may be formed in anumber of different shapes, such as, for example, rectangular,pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal, or some combinationthereof. In addition, it should also be appreciated that in someexamples, no connection member 164 is included while still complyingwith the principles disclosed herein.

Referring still to FIG. 3, extension member 166 is an elongate memberhaving a tip or end 169 disposed at the distal end 160 b of member 160.As will be explained in more detail below, as extension member 160translates axially within tube 104, end 169 of section 166 engages withcover 154 to change the shape of cover 154 from dull to relativelysharp.

Referring back now to FIG. 2, adjustment mechanism 120 includes a userinteraction mechanism 122, an elongate rod 124 extending intothroughbore 106 from mechanism 122, and a coil 126 disposed withinthroughbore 106. Interaction mechanism 122 may include any suitablemechanism for interaction with a user during use of the pen 100 whilestill complying with the principles disclosed herein. For example, inthis example, mechanism 122 comprises a knob that is rotatably coupledto the proximal end 104 a of tube 104 such that knob 122 may rotate orpivot about the axis 105 during operation. Accordingly, in thedescription to follow, user interaction mechanism 122 may also bereferred to as knob 122.

Rod 124 includes a first or proximal end 124 a and a second or distalend 124 b opposite the proximal end 124 a. Proximal end 124 a is mountedto knob 122 such that as knob 122 rotates about axis 105, rod 124 alsorotates about axis 105. In addition, the distal end 124 b of rod 124 isslidingly received within the recess 168 of barrel section 162 ofextension member 160. In at least some examples, end 124 b of rod 124 isreceived within recess 168 such that member 160 is driven to rotatealong with rod 124 and knob 122 about axis 105 while still allowingmember 160 to translate axially relative to rod 124 with respect to axis105. For instance, in this example, as is best shown in FIG. 4, rod 124includes a pair of radial projections 128 that extend axially from orproximate distal end 124 b such that when rod 124 is inserted withinrecess 168, the projections 128 each slidingly engage one of therecesses 163 to fix the relative angular positions of rod 124 and member160.

Referring again to FIG. 2, coil 126 is wire-like structure that issecured within throughbore 106 of tube 104 and includes a first orproximal end 126 a, a second or distal end 126 b opposite the proximalend 126 a, and a body 126 c extending helically between the end 126 a,126 b about the axis 105. In this example, coil 126 is secured withinthroughbore 106 such that its angular position with respect to the axis105 is substantially fixed. Any suitable device or method for fixingcoil 126 within throughbore 106 may be used while still complying withthe principles disclosed herein. In addition, in this example, thehelical body 126 c of coil 126 is shaped and sized to correspond withthe helical groove 161 on the barrel section 162 (see FIG. 3) ofextension member 160.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, during assembly of stylus pen 100, extensionmember 160 is inserted within throughbore 106 of tube 104 such that theend 169 of engagement section 166 extends through each of the guides157, 158, 159 and abuts or is proximate cover 154. In addition, asextension member 160 is installed within throughbore 106 in the mannerdescribed, the body 126 c of coil 126 engages the groove 163 on barrelsection 162. Thereafter, rod 124 is inserted within throughbore 106 fromthe proximal end 104 a such that the distal end 124 b of rod 124 isinserted within recess 168 and projections 128 slidingly engage therecesses 161 in the manner described above (see FIG. 4). Thus, due tothe engagement of coil 126 with groove 161, when extension member 160rotates about the axis 105 along a direction 127 (see FIG. 2), body 126c slidingly engages with the groove 161 on member 160 and thus urgesmember 160 axially toward the distal end 104 a (or to the right as shownin FIG. 2). Similarly, when extension member 160 is rotated about axis105 in a direction that is opposite direction 127, body 126 c on coil126 urges member 160 axially toward the proximal end 104 a (or to theleft as shown in FIG. 2). In addition, knob 122 is coupled to proximalend 124 a in the manner previously described such that each of the knob122 and rod 124 are arranged to rotate in unison with one another aboutthe axis 105 during operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5-7, a user (not shown) may rotate knob 122about the axis 105 in the direction 127. As knob 122 is rotated aboutthe axis 105 in direction 127, rod 124 and extension member 160 (e.g.,due to the engagement of the projections 128 on rod 124 and the recesses163 within the recess 168 of extension member 160) each also rotateabout axis 105 along the direction 127. As extension member 160 rotatesin direction 127, body 126 c of coil 126 slidingly engages with groove161 on member 160 and urges member 160 axially toward distal end 104 band cover 154 in the manner previously described (see progression fromFIG. 5 to FIG. 7). To axially withdrawn extension member 160 within tube104, knob 122, rod 124, and thus extension member 160 are all rotatedabout the axis 105 in a direction that is opposite the direction 127such that coil 126 urges extension member 160 toward the proximal end104 a (see the progression from FIG. 7 to FIG. 5). As is shown in FIGS.5-7, as member 160 is axially moved toward the distal end 104 b of tube104, the end 169 of member 160 engages with and thereby deforms cover154. As cover 154 is deformed, it changes shape from more dull (e.g.,FIG. 5) to progressively more sharp (e.g., FIGS. 6 and 7). As a result,engagement tip 150 of pen 100 is actuatable between a plurality ofpositions wherein the shape of tip 150 is different at each position. Inparticular, pen 100 is actuatable, through manipulation of adjustmentmechanism 120, between a plurality of positions wherein the shape of theengagement tip 150 ranges from dull to sharp.

In addition, as engagement tip 150 of pen 100 is actuated betweenrelatively dull shapes to a relative sharp shapes, the axial length oftip 150 increases. In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, when tip 150 is inan initial position corresponding to a relatively dull shape, tip 150has an axial length L_(150A) measured axially from the proximal end 152a of funnel 152 to the distal most point of cover 154. Next, as shown inFIG. 6, as tip 150 is transitioned to a position corresponding to arelatively sharper shape, the tip 150 has an axial length L_(150B) thatis greater than the axial length L_(150A) shown in FIG. 5. Similarly, astip 150 is actuated to positions with progressively sharper shapes, suchas is shown in FIG. 7, tip has an axial length L_(150C) that is greaterthan each of the axial lengths L_(150A), L_(150B) shown in FIGS. 5 and6, respectively.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-10, during use of pen 100 by a user, cover 154on tip 150 is directly engaged with a touch sensitive surface 180 (e.g.,touch sensitive display 22 or surface 42 of touch pad 40) with a portionof the total surface area of cover 154 that is referred to herein as anengagement surface or area 170 (See FIGS. 8-10). In other words, theengagement area 170 of cover 154 refers to the specific fractionalportion of the outer surface of cover 154 that physically engages withthe touch sensitive surface 180 during use of pen 100. In general, asmember 160 is axially advanced through tube 104 such that cover 154 isdeformed to form a sharper shape, the engagement area 170 between thecover 154 and the touch sensitive surface 180 necessarily decreases insize. In particular, as best shown in FIGS. 8-10, as engagement tip 150is transitioned from a dull point (e.g., FIG. 8) to a relative sharppoint (e.g., FIG. 10) the engagement area 170 contacting the touchsensitive surface (e.g., surface 180 shown in FIGS. 5-7) decreases insize. Thus, a user may manipulate the adjustment mechanism 120 of pen100 to achieve a variety of relatively fine and dull shapes forengagement with the touch sensitive surface.

In the manner described, through use of a stylus pen in accordance withthe principles disclosed herein (e.g., pen 100), a user may simplymanipulate an adjustment mechanism (e.g., mechanism 120) disposed on thestylus pen itself to affect a change in the engagement tip shape (e.g.,tip 150), thereby also affecting a change in the sharpness of theresulting line(s) and/or point(s) shown on the display (e.g., display22) of the associated computing device (e.g., device 20). As a result, auser may affect such a change in the line(s) and/or point(s) shown onthe display without needing to make cumbersome and difficult changesthrough the specific software being used such that the user's experienceis greatly simplified.

While examples disclosed herein have included an extension member 160that includes a cylindrical recess 168 that receives the distal end 124b of a substantially cylindrical rod 124, it should be appreciated thatin other examples, rod 124 and recess 168 may each be formed in othercorresponding shapes, such as, for example, rectangular, pentagonal,hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal, or some combination thereof. Inaddition, in at least some of these examples, recess 168 does notinclude the recesses 163 and rod 124 does not include projections 128while still complying with the principles disclosed herein. Further,while examples disclosed herein have included an adjustment mechanism120 that includes a rotatable knob 122, it should be appreciated thatother types of adjustment mechanisms may be used to axially advance orwithdrawn the extension member 160 relative to tube 104 while stillcomplying with the principles disclosed herein. For instance, in someexamples, adjustment mechanism 120 may comprise a button that isdepressed to axially advance extension member 160 through an internalratcheting system.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles andvarious embodiments of the present disclosure. Numerous variations andmodifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once theabove disclosure is fully appreciated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stylus pen comprising: a body including acentral axis, a first end, and a second end; an engagement tip disposedat the first end and including resilient cover; and an adjustmentmechanism at least partially disposed within the body and arranged suchthat manipulation of the adjustment mechanism by a user causes the coverof the engagement tip to actuate between a first shape and a secondshape; wherein the cover of the engagement tip is arranged to engagewith a touch sensitive surface to cause a change in a computing devicewhen in either one of the first shape and the second shape.
 2. Thestylus pen of claim 1, wherein the engagement tip also comprises: anelongate extension member that is axially movable relative to the body;wherein the resilient cover is disposed over the extension member; andwherein manipulation of the adjustment mechanism by a user causes theextension member move to axially relative to the body.
 3. The stylus penof claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a knob rotatablydisposed at the second end of the body, wherein rotation of the knobcauses the cover of the engagement tip to actuate between the firstshape and the second shape.
 4. The stylus pen of claim 1, wherein thefirst shape has a first engagement area when the tip is engaged with atouch sensitive surface; wherein the second shape has a secondengagement area when the tip is engaged with the touch sensitivesurface; and wherein the first engagement area is larger than the secondengagement area.
 5. The stylus pen of claim 1, wherein the engagementtip has an axial length and wherein the axial length is increased whenthe cover of the engagement tip is actuated from the first shape to thesecond shape.
 6. A stylus pen for engagement with a touch sensitivesurface, the stylus pen comprising: a body including a central axis, afirst end, and a second end; an engagement tip disposed at the first endand having an engagement area; wherein the engagement tip is actuatablebetween a first position and a second position, wherein the engagementarea is adjusted when the engagement tip is actuated between the firstposition and the second position; and wherein the engagement tip isarranged to contact the touch sensitive surface with the engagement areato cause a change in a computing device when in either one of the firstposition and the second position.
 7. That stylus pen of claim 6, whereinthe engagement area decreases when the engagement tip is transitionedfrom the first position to the second position.
 8. The stylus pen ofclaim 6, wherein the engagement tip comprises: an elongate extensionmember that is axially movable relative to the body; and a resilientcover disposed over the extension member; wherein transition of theengagement tip between the first position and the second position causesaxial movement of the extension member relative to the body.
 9. Thestylus pen of claim 6, further comprising an adjustment mechanism atleast partially disposed within the body, wherein manipulation of theadjustment mechanism by a user causes the engagement tip to actuatebetween the first position and the section position.
 10. The stylus penof claim 9, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a knob, whereinrotation of the knob by a user causes the engagement tip to actuatebetween the first position and the second position.
 11. A computingsystem, comprising: a touch sensitive surface; a display; and a styluspen, including: a body including a central axis, a first end, and asecond end; an engagement tip disposed at the first end; wherein theengagement tip is actuatable between a first position and a secondposition, wherein the engagement tip is sharper in the second positionthan in the first position; wherein the engagement tip is arranged toengage with the touch sensitive surface to cause a change on the displaywhen in either one of the first position and the second position. 12.The computing system of claim 11, wherein the engagement tip comprises:an elongate extension member that is axially movable relative to thebody; and a resilient cover disposed over the extension member; whereinactuation of the engagement tip between the first position and thesecond position causes the extension member move to axially relative tothe body.
 13. The computing system of claim 11, wherein the engagementtip is actuatable between the first position and the second positionwith an adjustment mechanism that is at least partially disposed withinthe body.
 14. The computing system of claim 13, wherein the adjustmentmechanism includes a knob rotatably disposed at the second end of thebody, wherein rotation of the knob causes the engagement tip to actuatebetween the first position and the second position.
 15. The computingsystem of claim 11, wherein the engagement tip has an axial length andwherein actuation of the engagement tip from the first position to thesecond position causes the axial length to increase.